Word Origin & History

clean O.E. clæne "clean, pure," from W.Gmc. *klainoz "clear, pure," from PIE base *gel- "to gleam" (cf. Gk. glene "eyeball," O.Ir. gel "bright"). As an adj., replaced in higher senses by clear, pure, but as a verb (c.1450) it has largely usurped what once belonged to cleanse. The adj. clean in the sense of "innocent" is from c.1300; that of "not lewd" is from 1867; that of "free of drug addiction" is 1950s. To take (someone) to the cleaners "get all of (someone's) money" is from 1932

Example Sentences for cleanness

It gushed down his chin, staining the cleanness of his robe.

Cleanness indeed is necessary if a man's mind is to be applied to God.

Cleanness of body was ever deemed to proceed from a due reverence to God.

Whereas, so far from this, to divide the hoof is a ground of cleanness.

Upon this quality depends the fineness and cleanness of the lines it will make.

The gravity of the porter, and above all, the cleanness of the the court, struck him with admiration.